How has becoming a mother changed you? It will take thousands upon thousands of words to fully convey how becoming a mother alters your life and how you are. Of course, having children can improve a parent’s life, even though motherhood can sometimes be exhausting, stressful, and heartbreaking. However, still, it is the most unexplainable feeling that only mothers can understand. Author Megan McCormick Cerda has penned a heartfelt true story about friendship and much more in this amazing book: Finding Joy In The Journey. This is a riveting story of Megan’s life and about finding real happiness amid loss, pain, career, marriage, grief, friendship and motherhood by having utter faith.
There are three main explanations for how becoming a mother alters one’s life and the journey of motherhood (aside from the noticeable physical changes). First, your logistics, identity, and emotions—especially your feelings—have all changed. So let’s start with the practicalities.
Self-care
Before having children, you only need to worry about caring for yourself and sometimes a few pets. It would help if you cooked dinner for yourself and possibly your companion. You only purchase clothing for yourself. You go to work and earn money for yourself and your partner. When you want to travel somewhere, you must get ready and leave for wherever and as long as you like. There are no limitations or curfews, at least none you have imposed on yourself. You establish your guidelines and decisions. In a sense, you are free.
You Have Time for Yourself
There is so much time, and you always manage to carve out a little time for yourself, even on the busiest days. When you don’t have kids, you don’t realize how much free time you have. Until you become a parent, you do not understand. When you finally become a parent, you start to question what you did with all of your free time, which was normally spent doing whatever you wanted. You wake up early. You went to the gym for a run, a walk, or possibly to soccer practice. When preparing and eating meals, you took your time. You may have eaten out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the same day. You made a purchase. You worked late and traveled. On a Sunday afternoon, as you rested from a hangover or recovered from an illness, you relaxed on the couch and watched movies. Despite all facts, the real happiness lies when you finally start to find joy in the journey of motherhood, which is beyond compare.
You Sleep Well
You have the most comfortable sleep before motherhood, though you won’t admit it. You will ultimately find the time to “catch up” since, for the most part, you can do anything you want, whenever you want, which means there is plenty of time to get back on track—even on your roughest days when sleep eludes you. When you’re a parent, your exhaustion lasts for a very long time with little relief. You may be able to catch up a little, but only if your child agrees; you are not allowed to do so whenever you choose. You are no longer in control. They are in charge. Until your body adapts and becomes used to a life of frequent wake-ups and little sleep, you’ll be exhausted all the time. Eventually, you’ll develop the ability to function with less sleep, but you don’t feel refreshed. This will change when your kids become older, but you’re worn out during the first few years.
The Valuable Items Are Well Placed in Your House
The items you have in your home are simply there for your convenience and those of your partner. You might have a gorgeous coffee maker and a swishy yet uncomfortable couch—a big bed with as many cushions and pillows as you like. Only you and possibly your partner are the intended recipients of the items in your home. You lack some equipment—equipment that, as of right now, you are unaware even exists. You will be familiar with strollers, cribs, and car seats, but you might not be aware of Lulla Dolls, sleep sacks, bed railings, baby swings, and everything else!
The fact is, you become a force for defense once you become a mother. If that infant were placed in your arms, you would brave the flames to protect it. If a bear threatened your child, you would fight the creature without a second thought. You will have a sensation in your gut that you have never felt before. It will empower and frighten you because of what you can now do for your child.
